TN boys rally to oust Kerala in Jr national basketball tourney

Chandigarh, May 31 (UNI) Trailing by five points at half time, Tamil Nadu snatched a thrilling two-point victory (84-82) and qualified for the quarter-finals in the boys section of the 57th Dhanoa Junior National Basketball Championship at the Guru Nanak Indoor Stadium in Ludhaina today.

Tamil Nadu capitalised on most of the chances which came their way to sink basket and made up of their defecit in the second half. The player who turned the tables in their favour was Anbu who scored from all angles to top-score with 31 points.

He was well supported by Prem (22) and Rama (16). Anbu, Prem and Rama formed a formidable trio for Tamil Nadu and scored a hard-fought victory.

Jovin (21), Rahul (17) and Eudrick (13) were the main scorers for the losers.

Tamil Nadu will now meet strong title contenders Chattisgarh in the quarter-final encounter tomorrow.

In another prequarter-final knockout matches, Delhi ended the challenge of Maharashtra with a comfortable 96-71 score.

Those cagers who made the difference in the match were Sashi (23), Humayun (22) and Siva (19) as Delhi carve out an easy win. Maharashtra players -- Shoeb (19), Ananth (17) and Talaha (8) tried their best but could not match the scoring skills of the Delhi players. Delhi had established a commanding 62-37 lead at half time.

Delhi's opponents in the quarter-final will be Haryana.

Meanwhile, hosts Punjab and Madhya Pradesh moved into girls quarter-finals with easy wins over their respective rivals.

Madhya Pradesh displayed better courtcraft and scoring abilities as they outclassed Andhra Pradesh girls in the pre-quarter-final match by 73-30. Prerna and Ritu contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively for the winners. B Radhika was the main scorer for AP with 12 points.

With home crowd cheering, Punjab girls proved too good for Uttar Pradesh whom they routed by 58-34 after leading by 36-12 at half time.

Kiranjit (23) and Manda (14) virtually fashioned Punjab's triumph as they repeatedly pierced the UP defence to score easy baskets.

Madhya Pradesh will now face Chattisgarh and Punjab moved up to challenge Tamil Nadu in the girls quarter-final fixtures.

Results (pre-quarter-finals): Boys: Tamil Nadu (Anbu 31, Prem 22, Rama 16) bt Kerala (Rahul 17, Jovin 21, Eudrick 13) by 84-82. Half time: 38-43.

Delhi (Sasi 23, Humayun 22, Siva 19) bt Maharashtra (Shoeb 19, Ananth 17, Talbha 8) by 96-23. Half Time 62-37.

Girls: Madhya Pradesh (Prerna 16, Ritu 15, Prachi 9) bt Andhra Pradesh (B Radhika 12, B Sarita 7) by 73-30. Half Time 31-18.

Punjab (Kiranjit 23, Manda 14) bt Uttar Pradesh 34 (Pratima 3, Nishita 6, Renu 6) by 58-34. Half Time 36-12.

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